Where to live outside London - Bromley and beyond

[CreamLampshade]

Hi there, currently live in SE London but would like to move further out for more space and a nicer area (place I live is quite rough).

looking for:

• 3 bedrooms
• easy commute to London bridge
• buzzing town centre - we don’t want to feel cut off or like it’s too suburban
• lovely green spaces
• budget £550k

so far Bromley ticks all the boxes, but am I missing anywhere else? We could also move north but it seems to be more expensive and oftne feels like a bigger commute into London.

any thoughts on Bromley, nice areas and areas to avoid? We like the idea of being close to the town centre but near green spaces, shortlands looks nice.

any other tips gratefully received - including further into Kent!

@Bobbingtons that's good too - ! I think something like these could be a good buy - plenty of room too

Downham estate isn't a nice area unfortunately but there are nice houses on the borders of Downham towards Bromley North near to the Toyota garage (like Powster Rd, Kynaston Rd etc up to the Plaistow area).

I like the downham estate. I loved it there. It does depend what part though. I would go back there if I could .

I live near Broadheath Drive (where a pp posted a house for sale). 15 minute walk into Chislehurst plus there are good primary schools in the area

@Cattery I did think thatbroadheath drive house was a nice spacious home in lovely order for the money and to be honest 15 minutes walk isn't exactly a killer- presumably 3 minutes drive!!

@Crikeyalmighty Yes it’s very nice. They are town houses aren’t they? Oh you can drive up to Chislehurst easily in 3 minutes; it’s just the parking when you get there. You need the Ringo app unless you go in the Sainsbury’s car park

@Cattery yep and the reason I suggested was given that it's top end of budget really doesn't look as if it needs any work

Only reason I know area is that it's high on my sons list for flat buying 'when/if' this leasehold thing gets resolved.

I like Bromley North. The road with the Bromley Court hotel always does advent windows. I think that's a lovely idea. Shows community spirit for sure. Also a couple of other streets round there do the same. I always wonder though, since there's more than 24 houses in the streets whether some people get annoyed not being given a number 😂

Aah right. My son bought a flat in Sidcup in 2021

I've been commuting to a place served by Southern and Southeastern for the last 3 years, so I'm in a good position to compare. The Southern services have been more reliable, cleaner and the rolling stock is much newer. I don't mind that there's only two an hour as I like having a table to work at.

Mind you, Orpington has a much faster more frequent service into London Bridge, as does Grove Park but the downside is you need to live in those places.